JACKIE DUCCI 2025
JACKIE DUCCI RUNS A NONPROFIT THAT FOCUSES ON THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF THE HUMAN-ANIMAL CONNECTION
STORY BY SHANNON ANASTASIO | PHOTO BY AGGIE BROOKS
Jackie Ducci’s life embodies purposeful leadership and meaningful service. As the founder of the Human-Animal Alliance, she aims to redefine how modern nonprofits operate — merging business expertise with philanthropy to share the transformative power of the human-animal connection. “In many ways, my entire life has been connected to this cause,” Ducci explained. “Animals have been my primary source of comfort and strength since childhood. I founded the HumanAnimal Alliance in 2022 to help others experience the same life-changing connections. I am very proud of what the organization does, but the animals are the true stars.” Ducci awards grants to high impact, often overlooked organizations nationwide. These funds support two key areas: programs that offer animal-assisted therapy and initiatives that help keep pets with the people who love them. “Through our grantmaking, we reach thousands of people and animals each year,” Ducci said. “Since our founding, we have awarded 21 grants totaling nearly $350,000, with an additional $100,000 expected before the end of 2025. These funds have supported a wide range of animal-assisted therapy programs for grieving children, women in crisis, first responders, at-risk youth, survivors of human trafficking and more. Our grants have also funded pet retention services from families at risk of losing their animals due to financial hardship, military service, domestic violence situations and natural disasters. Every dollar we contribute to these remarkable programs directly touches human and animal lives.” Ducci grew up on a farm in northwest Connecticut, where her passion for animals developed at a young age. “My entire family is from that area, and it was a wonderful place to call home during childhood,” she said. “Since then, I have lived in various cities on the East Coast, including New York and Washington, D.C., where I earned my bachelor’s degree from the Catholic University of America.” Today, she is settled year-round in Wellington with her horses Westley and Teddy, and her bulldogs Ralphie and Sadie. She has been a full-time Wellington resident for the past five years. Aside from her philanthropic work, she is a United 24 September 2025 | WELLINGTON THE MAGAZINE
States Dressage Federation gold medalist. “I compete in FEI-level dressage, and also dabble in some low-level show jumping,” Ducci said. “I wouldn’t trade living here for the world. It is a remarkable community that blends the excitement of the global equestrian scene with a small-town spirit and wonderful, animal-loving people. My only regret is not moving here sooner.” Through the alliance, Ducci helps animals, uplifts trauma survivors and strengthens families in crisis. But it’s not just what she does, but how she does it. Ducci personally funds all the overhead, so every dollar donated by the public directly supports programming and impacts human and animal lives. She applies a rigorous vetting process to ensure that funding reaches exceptional grassroots partners. Ducci’s personal connection to horses goes back to her childhood. “As a child, I was naturally very quiet and struggled with social anxiety. Horses were my safe place,” she said. “They accepted me without judgment and taught me that my value had nothing to do with how much I spoke, and everything to do with who I was at my core. That tremendous life lesson salvaged my self-esteem during my early years and ultimately shaped me into the person I am today. The HumanAnimal Alliance was born from a desire to enable others to experience similar transformative connections and unconditional acceptance through animals.” Ducci’s career history is equally dynamic: from entrepreneur, talent acquisition expert, author and podcast host to nonprofit leader and advocate, she has built a platform for change that is both strategic and meaningful, proving that philanthropy can be precise, powerful and personal. Her favorite way to unwind is enjoying downtime with her bulldogs, ideally with a Netflix show on TV and a glass of wine in her hand. “I also love my friends and prioritize quality time with the people I love most, including my fiancé, Mark,” Ducci said, adding that she also loves a good escape room. “I am an escape room enthusiast and have completed nearly 100 rooms! I enjoy the challenge of solving puzzles under pressure and the teamwork it inspires.” Learn more about Ducci’s nonprofit at www.h-aa.org.